I recently purchased a 1988 535i in excellent condition. Owning a BMW (even an older model year) has been a dream for many years. It's great to finally have one!

I do have several questions, though. First and foremost, I'm a bit confused about the series indentifier I keep seeing. Do I own an m5 or an e34 and how do i figure this out?

Second, my stereo doesn't turn on!!!! I took it to a local car stereo retailer for a look, but they won't touch it because of the model year (appearently no tech manual on hand). The stereo is an after market Alpine CD player. The fuse seems to be in proper shape and the other electronics in the car work fine. I can't figure out how to get into the dash to look at the wiring and the previous owner claims it worked before I bought it. Any ideas?

The last question, and probably most important, is regarding the engine. Although the car is in great shape and mechanically sound, it does have a rough idle and low top speed (about 80 on the highway). I think it really just needs a good basic tune up and possibly a new O2 sensor. In searching for parts (i.e plugs, filters, etc...) I realized I have no idea what type of engine I have..... 3.2 or 3.5... both are stamped on the block. How do I find out?

Originally posted by Door1@Jan 27 2005, 09:49 PMI recently purchased a 1988 535i in excellent condition. Owning a BMW (even an older model year) has been a dream for many years. It's great to finally have one!

I do have several questions, though. First and foremost, I'm a bit confused about the series indentifier I keep seeing. Do I own an m5 or an e34 and how do i figure this out?

Second, my stereo doesn't turn on!!!! I took it to a local car stereo retailer for a look,* but they won't touch it because of the model year (appearently no tech manual on hand). The stereo is an after market Alpine CD player. The fuse seems to be in proper shape and the other electronics in the car work fine. I can't figure out how to get into the dash to look at the wiring and the previous owner claims it worked before I bought it. Any ideas?

The last question, and probably most important, is regarding the engine. Although the car is in great shape and mechanically sound, it does have a rough idle and low top speed (about 80 on the highway). I think it really just needs a good basic* tune up and possibly a new O2 sensor.* In searching for parts (i.e plugs, filters, etc...) I realized I have no idea what type of engine I have..... 3.2 or 3.5... both are stamped on the block. How do I find out?

most alpine radios can be removed by carefully taking off the black trim ring around the radio, there, on each side of the radio, you will find a silverish fork-looking thingy. On the bottom side of the fork there is a black spring loaded circle with a small divot in it. Take a paper clip, toothpick, your fingernail etc, and pull up about 1/8" to the center of the fork and it will slide out. Unless it is like a 1940's :wink model Alpine this is the way most of them are removed, even today.

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